Clayton is one of the most improved teams from Week 1 to now, and a lot of that is simply that a talented defense is getting more comfortable with one another. Crumel put up better raw numbers last year while playing a lot as a safety. After moving back to corner, he’s locked down one side of the field. Where I’ve been most impressed is his run defense. What was once a weakness has turned into a strength. Honestly, Crumel has worked on his tackling technique so much that he’s become one of the best tacklers I’ve seen in recent years at corner.

The jewel of NC State’s 2027 class, Crumel is a versatile cornerback with past safety experience. He’s at his best in coverage, but he’s far more physical than the average corner. He’s more physically ready for the college level than most high school corners, as he isn’t likely to add much weight once he gets to campus. I could see him starting in the slot in college, but he has the speed, length, and ball skills to be a multi-year lockdown corner.

Crumel is likely going to be most heavily recruited as a corner, thanks to his prototypical build and skill set, but he can also play safety, and that versatility is a huge plus. He was working a lot last offseason on gap integrity as a run-stopper at safety, turning a former weakness into a real strength. Even with all of that, he’s at his best on an island and picked off four passes last season for the Comets.

I originally pegged Crumel as a corner because of his build, but he’s also played some as a free safety, and I think he has the versatility to play both. He has excellent drive on the ball, and he’s far more physical than his size would suggest. In all ways, he plays bigger than his frame suggests.

Although Crumel might play some safety for Clayton this season, he has to make our list as the top corner in Johnston/Harnett County. He has the talent, technique, and production (seven pass breakups as a freshman) to be a truly elite defensive back. He’s physical in the running game and I’m interested to see if he can make a bigger impact closer to the middle of the field this season rather than out on an island every play.

Crumel could move safety this season, and I’m intrigued by how that will affect both his play on the field and his recruiting stock. He’s an instinctual football player who isn’t afraid to hit and has good ball skills. Assuming he can hone his ability to fill gaps and succeed as a run defender at safety, he’s a high-upside, versatile defender who can be deployed in a variety of sets.